and now: a Pantoum for Island and Ocean

~ TheresaBarker
Creative Commons License
Ocean by apasciuto is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.

This week I read a new poem – “Cape Cod Pantoum,” by Maria Narzos –  that a friend shared with me.  You can read it or listen to it here, in The New Yorker.  I’ve written a couple of Pantoum poems before, and this poem inspired me to try a new one.

The traditional form for the Pantoum poem is in 4 stanzas, each stanza of four lines, with a particular rhythm of repetition.   … Don’t miss the note at the end of the poem for more information about the Pantoum!

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Water, All That Water
Theresa Barker

Water, all that water between Seattle and Hawaii.
Driving along the comma-road edge
of water in the dark,
Turn left and you’ll fall into the ocean.

Driven along the edge of the water:
How many long-ago paths lie beneath this highway?
Turn left into the ocean and you’re drowning,
Canoes pass between islands.

How many roads lie beneath the land
crossed by lost ancient ones.
Swim your canoes between islands,
Catch the silvery fish wink in an eye.

Cross the ancient paths
of water in darkness,
Catch the silver eyes of fish among
water. All that water between here and there.

#

More information about Pantoums here.

When I fly across the ocean in a plane I am struck by how immense it is. All that water. Do you live near the ocean? Do you have a favorite part of the ocean? What is your favorite ocean memory?

 

Published by TheresaBarker

Science fiction writer and mathematician

22 thoughts on “and now: a Pantoum for Island and Ocean”

    2. Oh, I’m sorry, I forgot to reply to the Versatile Blogger Award nomination. Thank you! This means so much to me. I appreciate that you took time to identify me as a blogger that you admire. Many thanks.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

    3. yellowfuzzyduck, I want to especially thank you for including me in your nominations. I am currently enjoying the blog-reading and the community without participating in blogging awards. I very much appreciate your visits to my blog, and I have enjoyed my time reading yours as well.

      I am truly honored that you thought of me to nominate for this award. Thank you so much for being one of my readers; your attention on my work is more than reward enough! :). I hope you will continue to visit and I look forward to reading more of your work!

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Of course! You deserve it! I totally understand, though I would have loved to read your response. I love your work, and your blog is one of my favorites. Thank you so much, Theresa! Your visits and comments mean the world to me!

        Liked by 1 person

  6. Wonderful poetry, my friend. I’m still trying to convince myself that Pantoum is something I can do but I’m failing. Haha! It seems too difficult. The technical part of it sends me running back to Tanka.

    Liked by 1 person

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